A brief-yet-ongoing journal of all things Carmi. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll reach for your mouse to click back to Google. But you'll be intrigued. And you'll feel compelled to return following your next bowl of oatmeal. With brown sugar. And milk.

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Tuesday, September 04, 2007

On the line

40 yards, this wayLondon, Ontario, June 2007

Football isn't my favorite sport. I think I have issues with the fact that North Americans call it football in the first place, when we all know the real football is the monstrously popular game that everyone else in the world worships because it is as simple and pure as sport can be. Here on the wrong continent, they call it soccer, and David Beckham aside, it is essentially dead at the professional level.

North American football is played by very large men wrapped in even larger cocoons of protective equipment. Although I enjoy watching a rare game, I fail to understand the beyond-religious appeal of the game in some communities - especially when so many of this sport's so-called "fans" have never even set foot on a real field, much less played the game.

But when our daughter's school attended a track meet at the big stadium on the campus of London's main university, I found myself staring at the micro-elements of the place. There was so much symmetry in the way the place was laid out. It had order, richness, purpose. I learned that I can appreciate a venue even if I don't quite appreciate the rabid fans who follow the sport that is played there. Call me a square, I guess.

But in the end, the photography matters more than my contrarian views of popular sports. So I took a bunch of pictures (click here for an earlier view) and I'll share more in the weeks to come.

Your turn: What's this view saying to you?

One more thing: The little folks are sleeping quietly after a busy and fun-filled weekend. Later this morning, they head back to school. Ambivalence reigns as I recognize once again that they're not getting younger. And neither am I. I am virtually certain that words and images will result from this annual, increasingly meaningful milestone. Stay tuned...

13 comments:

Aaah, Carmi. You fail to recognize all of those pick-up football games at family reunions and in back yards! When we watch football, we are LIVING it! ha!

However, my son is just becoming coached in the game of Rugby, and plans on watching the US/England game as soon as he is able. (The only place that shows it around here is pubs, and he is only 13....)

It's saying to me that fall (yay!) and football are just around the corner. I have a strong association with football and the fall season because this is the one sport my husband is truly passionate about. I'm not really interested in the game, but for his sake, I'll watch the replays and listen to some of the commentary. In fact, I've grown accustomed to the announcer's voices – it's almost comforting listening to all the sounds of the game, as I read my book on the couch next to my husband who will invariably be jumping up and down, in either joy or frustration.

my ex and i had season tickets to the local university football games... we sat 1/3 of the way up on the 35 yard line. the seats were incredible. we loved the game, the folks we sat with game after game year after year, and the beer. football is much more fun if you are watching it live with a glass of beer in your hand. trust me.

so, on another note... i blogrolled you! that way i can visit whenever i want instead of just when michele tells me to =P

The photo says to me "Finally!". I remember games being played at family reunions and how my family honestly worships the sport, however in recent years not as much, the luster is just not there when football was raw and played for all the right reasons and for the camaraderie...now it's just different. I had always pictured North American's more as baseball people since it is considered the "all-american sport".

Sorry, Carmi. On this I must disagree with you. I love football. I admit some fans take it too far, but I love watching the game. The fight for every ten yards, the way runningbacks bob and weave to avoid the tackle, the perfect long toss landing in a wide receiver's arms. . . beautiful.

My dear, your FANTASTIC picture is the only reason I don't send you nasty messages regarding YOUR version of football versus MINE. That photo just invokes the roar of crowds, the smell of great food cooking, and the anticipation of watching THE GREATEST SPORT EVER!!!!

this view says possible field goal and depending on what down it is -- a very hopeful strike into the red zone.

sorry Carmi - couldn't resist. I still have my Football cards from kindergarten. They're only one football and it doesn't include a round ball -- although I do like soccer and find it to be very exciting.